Fert price is volatile

INCREASING NUMBERS of British farmers are now placing orders for spring grassland fertiliser, confirming that the usage period has finally started.

Stocks are low but manufacturing is unhindered and with a balance of supply and demand, prices remain unchanged. In Ireland the situation is still chaotic.

After a false start, rain has cut the volume of orders supporting the theory that farmers are buying on an “as needed” basis, even restricting orders to part loads and half tonnes.

CAP reform and government pressure on the use of phosphate in the North has led to considerable change and indecision regarding grade or brand requirements.

And with merchants now eager to sell their stocks, there is downwards pressure on prices.

The result is confusion, with some bargains to be had significantly below manufacturers’ replacement costs.

Farmers in the Republic if Ireland can benefit from estimated 70,000t stocks of imported blended high nitrogen compounds.

At €230-235/t, this is a saving over domestic CCF compounds at €247-250. CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) prices have also fallen by some €10/t to €210/t.

With such a slow start throughout Ireland and estimates of unusually high tonnages yet to be sold, there may be logistical problems moving such high volumes.

Pricing will be volatile as demand increases and existing merchant stocks are depleted.

CURRENT PRICES (£/t)

Great Britain

Straight

Domestic N (34.5%N) SP5

Mar £153-5

Imported AN Lithuanian

£140 where available

Imported urea

£175 granular£165 prills

Liquid UAN37kg/100litres (29.6%N/t)

£142

TSP (47%P2O5)

£149

Muriate of Potash(60%K2O)

£133

Compound

Complex

Blended

25.5.5

£149-154

From £140

15.15.20

£166-170

20.10.10 / 27.5.5

£152-157

From £142

17.17.17

£171-175

0.24.24

£126-135

27.6.6 (imported)

32.5.0 (imported)

Trace elements

Copper, zinc, selenium,cobalt Iodine and sodium£11.10/acre pack

Ireland

NorthernIreland

Republicof Ireland†

Urea

£200 (existing stocks only)

€270-280(dependant on source and quality)

CAN

£140-145

€200-210

24.6.12aftercut*

£170-175 (anticipated)

€240-250+

25.5.5

£160-165

27.6.6complex**

£170-175

€247-250+ (CCF)€230-235 import blend

†Note in the Republic of Ireland nutrients are expressed as elements not oxides. Analyses will not be directly comparable with those used in the UK.*Known as 24.2½.10 blend in the Republic of Ireland**Known as 27.2½.5 in ROI

Note All illustrated prices are based upon 24 tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.